U-17 MNT Down Haiti 4-0 in Florida

NewsApr 3, 2005

HAILEAH, Fla. (April 3, 2005) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team came away with a commanding 4-0 victory over Haiti this evening at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Haileah, Fla. In their final match before the U-17s attempt to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Championship, Quavas Kirk led the way with two goals and an assist.

“This was an important game for us to play as Haiti is a solid team in our region,” said U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Hackworth. “To come away with a 4-0 victory gives us confidence as we head towards qualifying.”

Ryan Soroka struck first for the U.S., putting away a nice cross from Kirk in the sixth minute. Kirk received a ball on the right flank and used his quickness to get past a defender and served in the ball to the back post where Soroka buried it home.

Kirk notched his first goal of the night in the 23rd minute after a build-up from a throw-in on the left sideline. Amaechi Igwe tossed the ball to forward Preston Zimmerman, who quickly touched it back to Igwe. The defender crossed the ball into the area where Kirk skillfully headed a ball to the right side of the goal over the outstretched hands of the Haitian ‘keeper.

With the game still competitive as Haiti began to look to get a goal back in the start of the second half, Kyle Nakazawa put the game out of reach in the 56th minute. The chance was created by Igwe, who won a poor clearance and swiftly moved the ball through for Nakazawa for the finish inside the left post.

Kirk snagged his second of the evening eight minutes from the final whistle off a pass from Nakazawa, finishing into the upper right.

The U.S. will attempt to advance for their 11th straight FIFA U-17 World Championship when they compete in Group A of the 2005 U-17 CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament from April 12-16 in Heredia, Costa Rica.